Electric hair cutting shear



March 12, 1968 Q $K|NNER I 3,372,481

ELECTRIC HAIR CUTTING SHEAR Filed 001;. 14, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Gui/lard R. Skinner INVENTOR.

Q. R. 'SKINNER ELECTRIC HAIR CUTTING SHEAR March 12, 1968 2 Shets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 14, 1965 Ouil/drd R. Skinner INVENTOR.

United States Patent Ofiice 3,372,481 ELECTRIC HAIR CUTTING SHEAR Quiilard R. Skinner, Cape Girardeau, Mm, assignor of twenty percent to Marshall H. Chatfieid, Cape Girardean, Mo.

Fiied Oct. 14, 1965, Ser. No. 495,821 11 Claims. (Cl. EAL-210) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLQSURE A power operated hair cutter having an elongated housing on which a finger grip and finger rests are formed intermediate the ends. The housing encloses an electric drive for a movable blade in sliding contact with a fixed, tapered blade projecting from one end of the housing. A removable blade shield secured to the fixed blade outside of the housing yieldably holds the movable blade in sliding contact with the fixed blade.

This invention relates to hair cutting implements and more particularly to a power operated hair cutting tool.

The hair cutting tool of the present invention is designed to replace the usual, professional hair cutting scissors now employed by barbers particularly when used in conjunction with a comb. Thus, the power operated tool is not only designed to avoid fatigue of the users fingers but also enable the user to exercise the same skill in cutting hair m heretofore developed in connection with the use of a scissors in conjunction with a comb. It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a power operated tool or implement having the attributes of a scissors when used together with a comb for hair cutting purposes.

In accordance with the foregoing object, the hair cutting tool of the present invention is provided with tapered cutting blades which expose cutting edges along one longitudinal side only to form a blade assembly having facilities for protecting the skin from the back edge of the cutting blades.

As a further object of the present invention in accordance with the foregoing object, the power operated hair cutting tool of the present invention involves facilities for readily replacing and adjusting the cutting blades by virtue of which the blades may be easily sharpened using any flat stone. The facilitated removal and replacement of blades and the facilities for adjusting the position thereof will therefore permit maintenance of the hair cutting tool by untrained personnel.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a power operated hair cutting tool which features a housing that facilitates manipulation of the tool in the same fashion that a scissors is now manipulated in conjunction with a comb. Accordingly, the tool housing is provided with a finger hole, finger and thumb rests. Also, the weight of the tool is so distributed or balanced when held in the hand to facilitate the skillful movement of the cutting blades by the user as they are reciprocated by power facilities within the tool housing.

A still further object in accordance with the foregoing objects, is to provide a power operated hair cutting tool having electromagnetic reciprocating means which is relatively quiet and frictionless in operation so as to permit the skillful manipulation of the tool by the user as well as to accommodate blade replacement and adjustment as aforementioned.

These together with other objects and advantages which .will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accom- 3,372,481 Patented Mar. 12, 1968 panying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view showing the power operated tool of the present invention in its entirety.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the forward portion of the tool as viewed from the side opposite that shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 33 in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 4-4 in FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 5-5 in FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 6 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 66 in FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged partial sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 77 in FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of the movable blade associated with the tool of the present invention.

FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of the blade adjusting parts associated with the power operated tool of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, FIGURE 1 shows the power operated tool generally denoted by reference numeral 10 as being connected to an A.C. source of electrical energy through a two-wire electrical conduit 12 in order to supply, for example, 60 cycle volt A.C. current to the tool. The tool includes an axially elongated housing assembly generally referred to by reference numeral 14 from which a longitudinally extending cutting blade assembly extends, the blade assembly being generally denoted by reference numeral 16.

Referring now to FIGURES 3, 5 and 6 in particular, it will be noted that the housing assembly 14 includes a generally cylindrical portion 18 closed at one axial end by .an end cover 20 through which the electrical cable 12 extends. A rubber grommet 22 may accordingly be received within an aperture 24 formed in the end cover 24} protectively enclosing a pair of electrical conductors 26 that extend into the housing for supplying electrical energy to an electromagnetically operated reciprocating means 28. The housing assembly is also provided with a forward, tapered portion 30 from which the blade assembly 16 extends and a removable section 32 which abuts the tapered portion 30 and extends rearwardly therefrom into abutting relation with the cylindrical portion 18. The removable section 32 may be secured to the abutting surfaces of the housing portions 18 and 30 by a pair of fasteners 34. The cylindrical housing portion 13 forms an internal cylindrical chamber having a longitudinal axis with respect to which various parts of the tool are located. Secured to the cylindrical portion 18 on one side of the longitudinal axis intermediate the ends of the housing as shown, is a fingergrip generally referred to by reference numeral 36 which extends substantially in a plane containing the longitudinal axis. The fingergrip is similar to that associated with a scissors and hence includes a finger insert hole 38 and a curved finger rest portion 40. Located on the other side of the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical housing portion opposite the fingergrip 36, is a thumbrest formed by an appropriately curved surface 42. Thus, the shape and configuration of the housing assembly is such that the tool may be grasped in one hand to direct the cutting teeth of the blade assembly 16 on that side of the longitudinal axis from which the fingergrip 36 projects from the housing portion 18.

As shown in FIGURES 2, 3, 4 and 5, the blade assembly includes a stationary or fixed blade 44 having a cutting edge portion formed by a plurality of longitudinally spaced cutting teeth 46 and a back edge portion 48. The longitudinal edge portions of the blade 44 converge toward each other from an enlarged end portion 50 toward a smaller forward end 52. The fixed blade is also mounted in parallel spaced relation to the longitudinal axis of the housing assembly by means of the four fasteners 54 which secure the enlarged end portion 50 of the blade to the housing portion 30. As more clearly seen in FIGURE 4, the cutting teeth 46 associated with the fixed blade 44 are beveled on one side opposite the side in sliding contact with similar but oppositely beveled teeth 56 associated with a movable blade 58. As more clearly seen in FIGURES 3 and 8, the movable blade 58 is somewhat shorter in length than the fixed blade 44 and includes a lower back edge portion 60 having a forward section 62 which converges toward the cutting edge portion. The movable blade also includes a rear shank portion 64 which projects into the housing assembly and is provided with an opening 66 for connection of the movable blade to the reciprocating mechanism as will be hereinafter explained. Also formed on the movable blade on the side thereof opposite the fixed blade is an elongated groove 68, the groove 68 being disposed in close adjacency to the cutting edge portion and forming a lubricated slide bearing surface as will be explained.

A yieldable shield member 70 is associated with the blade assembly and is connected to the stationary blade 44 outside of the housing assembly by means of a pair of fasteners 72 as more clearly seen in FIGURES 2 and 4. The shield member is thereby secured to the fixed blade member 44 in protective relation to a major portion thereof exposing only the cutting teeth 46 above the upper edge 74 on one side of the blade assembly. The shield member extends below the fixed blade member to enclose the back edge portions of both blades and includes a yieldably mounted edge portion 76 opposite the edge 74 aligned with the groove 68 in the movable blade 58. As more clearly seen in FIGURES 4 and 7, a plurality of longitudinally spaced projections 78 are formed along the edge portion 76 of the shield member, the projections extending into slide bearing contact with the surface formed by the groove 68 in the movable blade. Thus, the projections 78 by virtue of their yieldable mounting on the shield member 70 will guide linear reciprocating movement of the movable blade and also serve to maintain a uniform sliding contact pressure between the stationary and movable blades as well as to trap lubricant within the groove 68. The shield member will be operative to deflect cut hairs away from the blade members and protect the skin from the blade members. The mounting of the shield member outside of the housing assembly will also permit it to be dismantled in order to facilitate replacement of the blade members.

The electromagnetically operated reciprocating mechanism 28 within the housing assembly includes a cylindrical coil assembly generally referred to by reference numeral 80 disposed within the cylindrical housing portion 18. The coil assembly includes an electrically nonconductive spool element 82 on which a cylindrical coil 84 is mounted. The spool mounted coil 84 is enclosed within an outer nonconductive casing 86 which is threadedly received within the cylindrical chamber of the housing portion 18 from the open end closed by the end cover 20. The coil assembly 80 is held in an axially adjusted position within the housing portion 18 by means of a setscrew 88 as shown in FIGURE 3 engaging the axial end portion 90 of the coil casing 86. The axial spacing of the coil assembly from the end cover 20 may therefore be adjusted before tightening of the setscrew 88 by means of a threaded screw member 92 having a slotted head 94 exposed on the outside of the end cover 20. The threaded shank of the screw 92 is therefore threadedly received within the axial end of a soft iron core 96 associated with the coil assembly through which a magnetic path is established so as to generate an alternating magnetic field in response to supply of alternating current to the coil 84. The conductors 26 therefore extend through an opening in the axial end portion of the coil casing 86 for connection to the coil ends. The core 96 is formed with a pole piece 98 at one axial end, the polarity of which reverses to cyclically attract and release an armature assembly 100 yieldably held in axially spaced relation to the pole piece 98 as shown in FIGURE 3.

The armature assembly 100 includes a cylindrical disk portion 102 from which a shaft portion 104 extends forwardly and is slidably mounted by a tubular support member 106. The tubular support member therefore includes an end wall portion 108 within which an antifriction bearing assembly 110 is mounted for sliding support of the armature assembly 100. The armature disk 102 may therefore be reciprocated between axial limits established by the end wall portion 108 of the tubular support member and the pole piece 98 in response to the supply of alternating current to the coil assembly 80. It will therefore be apparent, that the stroke of the armature assembly will be determined by the axial spacing of the tubular support member 106 from the coil assembly within the housing. The tubular support member is threadedly mounted within the housing and held in an axially adjusted position by means of a setscrew element 112 so that the reciprocating mechanism may be adjusted in accordance with the stroke determined by the positioning of the coil assembly within the housing assembly. The armature disk 102 is held in an inactive position between the limits of its reciprocating movement by a return spring 114 disposed internally within the tubular support member 106 and a recoil spring disposedexternally of the tubular support member. The recoil spring is therefore seated at one axial end within the armature disk portion 102 while the other axial end abuts against an adjustable locknut element 118 threadedly mounted on the tubular support member 106. The recoil spring 116 is thereby operative to prevent impact abutment of the armature disk portion 102 with the end wall portion 108 when vibrating under the influence of the magnetic field emanating from the pole piece 98 and the force of the return spring 114. The stiffness of the recoil spring 116 may therefore be adjusted by axial adjustment of the locknut 118 in order to achieve a substantially noiseless vibration of the armature assembly for any adjusted stroke. The return spring 114 is operative to displace the armature assembly during release thereof from the magnetic attraction of the coil assembly by reacting between the end wall portion 108 of the tubular support member and an annular spring seating element 120. As shown in FIGURES 3 and 9, the spring seating element 120 includes an internally threaded hub portion 122 which is not only threadedly connected to the shaft portion 104 of the armature assembly but also threadedly receives the shaft portion 124 of an adjustable limit member 126 thereby connecting the armature assembly to the movable blade 58.

The adjustable limit member 126 includes a plate portion 128 within which a slot 130 is formed. The plate portion 128 is axially offset from the shaft portion 124 so that it will be spaced from the longitudinal axis of the housing assembly which extends centrally through the armature assembly 100 and the shaft portion 124. The movable blade 58 is thereby connected to the armature assembly in parallel spaced relationship to the longitudinal axis.

As more clearly seen in FIGURE 5, the plate portion 128 of the adjustable limit member 126 is connected to the movable blade 58 by means of a spacer element 136 received within the aperture 66 of the movable blade and clamped to the plate portion 128 by means of a fastener element 138 extending through the slot 130. The movable blade may thereby be connected in axially adjusted relation to the armature assembly inorder to assure that it will never project forwardly beyond the stationary blade 44 for any stroke adjusted position of the coil assembly 80. This is of course essential to avoid injury to the person by the forward end of the movable blade when the power operated tool is being used at the tapered end portion thereof for careful cutting of the hair.

From the foregoing description, the construction, assembly, maintenance and utility of the power operated hair cutting tool of the present invention will be apparent. In use, the tool may be manipulated like a manual scissors because of the particular shape of the housing assembly embodying the fingergrip portion 36 and the thumbrest portion 42. The projection of the blade cutting teeth laterally spaced from and on the same side of the longitudinal axis as the fingergrip 36 cooperates with the housing assembly to accommodate manipulation of the tool in bringing the blades into proper position for cutting. The stationary blade 44 of the tool may also be utilized as a comb in erecting the hairs as the reciprocating movement imparted to the movable blade 58 cuts the hairs. Maintenance of the tool is facilitated because of the ease with which the blades may be replaced and the reciprocating mechanism adjusted so as to obtain the proper reciprocating stroke, spring stiffness and noiseless vibration. Toward this end, the housing section 32. is removable so as to enable removal of the blades 44 and 58, adjustment of the connection of the movable blade to the armature assembly by means of the screw fastener 138 or adjustment of the recoil spring pressure by means of the locknut 118. The compression of the return spring 114 may also be adjusted by axial repositioning of the tubular support member 106 upon release of the setscrew element 112. The stroke of the armature assembly on the other hand may be adjusted as aforementioned by release of the setscrew element 88 and rotational adjustment of the screw 92. As a result of the foregoing features of the power operated tool and its balance, the artistic skills developed by barbers through use of manual scissors and combs, may be employed to advantage and without the fatigue that develops after prolonged use.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In a power operated hair cutting shear, an elongated housing having a longitudinal axis, a fixed blade secured to said housing and projecting from one end thereof in parallel spaced relation to said longitudinal axis, a movable blade in sliding contact with said fixed blade, each of said blades having a cutting edge portion extending from the housing on one side of the longitudinal axis and a back edge portion on the other side of the longitudinal axis, a finger grip mounted by said housing on said one side of the longitudinal axis, a thumb rest formed on the housing on said other side of the longitudinal axis, a shield member enclosing the back edge portions of both of the blades outside of the housing, means securing the shield member in protective relation to the fixed blade exposing only the cutting edge portion thereof, and guide means mounted on the shield member and engageable with the movable blade for guiding movement of the cutting edge portion thereof relative to the cutting edge portion of the fixed blade, said guide means comprising a plurality of longitudinally spaced projections yieldably mounted by the shield member, said movable blade having a longitudinal groove in close adjacency to the cutting edge portion receiving said projections therein.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said finger grip includes a finger insert extending from the housing subconnected to the movable blade, andadjustable limit means for limiting movement of the movable blade to prevent extension thereof beyond the fixed blade.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said reciprocating means comprises, a coil assembly fixedly mounted 'within the housing, tubular support means fixedly mounted within the housing in axially spaced relation to the coil assembly, armature means slidably mounted by the tubular support means, a return spring enclosed within said tubular support means, and spring bearing means engageable by the return spring and connecting the armature means to said adjustable limit means.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said adjustable limit means comprises, a plate element having a slot therein, fastener means extending through said slot for connecting the movable blade in spaced relation to the plate element and an adjusting shaft connecting the plate element to the spring bearing means.

6. The combination of claim 5 including recoil adjusting means externally mounted on said tubular support means, and a recoil spring reacting between said recoil adjusting means and the armature means.

7. In a hair cutting shear, an elongated housing having a longitudinal axis, a fixed blade secured to said housing and projecting from one end thereof in parallel spaced relation to said longitudinal axis, a movable blade in sliding contact with said fixed blade, each of said blades having a cutting edge portion extending from the housing on one side of the longitudinal axis and a back edge portion on the other side of the longitudinal axis, a finger grip mounted by said housing on said one side of the longitudinal axis, a thumb rest formed on the housing on said other side of the longitudinal axis, and motor means operatively connected to the movable blade and mounted within the housing at a location relative to the finger grip for balanced distribution of weight, said finger grip including a finger insert extending from the housing intermediate the ends thereof, and a finger rest projecting from the finger insert.

8. In a power operated hair cutting shear, an elongated housing having a longitudinal axis, a fixed blade secured to said housing and projecting from one end thereof in parallel spaced relation to said longitudinal axis, a movable blade in sliding contact with said fixed blade, each of said blades having a cutting edge portion extending from the housing on one side of the longitudinal axis and a back edge portion on the other side of the longitudinal axis, a finger grip mounted by said housing on said one side of the longitudinal axis, a thumb rest formed on the housing on said other side of the longitudinal axis, a coil assembly fixedly mounted Within the housing, tubular support means fixedly mounted within the housing in axially spaced relation to the coil assembly, armature means slidably mounted by the tubular support means, a return spring enclosed within said tubular support means, adjustable limit means connected to the movable blade for transmitting movement thereto, and spring bearing means engageable by the return spring and coupling the armature means to the adjustable means for imparting movement to the movable blade.

9. The combination of claim 8 wherein said adjustable limit means comprises, a plate element having a slot there in, fastener means extending through said slot for connecting the movable blade in spaced relation to the plate element and an adjusting shaft connecting the plate element to the spring bearing means.

10. In a power operated hair cutting shear, an elongated housing having a longitudinal axis, a fixed blade secured to said housing and projecting from one end thereof in parallel spaced relation to said longitudinal axis, a movable blade in sliding contact with said fixed blade,

each of said blades having a cutting edge portion extending from the housing on one side of the longitudinal axis and a back edge portion on the other side of the longitudinal axis, a shield member enclosing the back edge portions of both of the blades outside of the housing, means securing the shield member in protective relation to the fixed blade exposing only the cutting edge portion thereof, and guide means mounted on the shield member and engageable with the movable blade for guiding movement of the cutting edge portion thereof relative to the cutting edge portion of the fixed blade, said guide means comprising a plurality of longitudinally spaced projections yieldably mounted by the shield member, said movable blade having a longitudinal groove in close adjacency to the cutting edge portion receiving said projections therein. 11. The combination of claim 10 wherein the housing encloses electromagnetic reciprocating means operatively connected to the movable blade, and adjustable limit means for limiting movement of the movable blade to prevent extension thereof beyond the fixed blade.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1/ 1927 Jones 30-45 9/1936 Hill et a1. 30210 10/1938 Gonsett 3021O 3/ 1942 Holsclaw 30-210 XR 12/ 1961 Prohaska 30272 6/1937 Branch 30-220 7/ 1922 Ghetia 30203 FOREIGN PATENTS 4/1937 Germany.

OTHELL M. SIMPSON, Primary Examiner.

15 WILLIAM FELDMAN, Examiner.

J. C. PETERS, Assistant Examiner. 

